What is decreased libido?
Decreased libido, or lowered sex drive, is when a person experiences a lower interest in sexual activity than is normal for them. This can negatively impact romantic relationships and a person's quality of life.
Some common causes of decreased libido include:
- Hormonal changes - Low testosterone levels in men and low estrogen in women can lead to decreased libido. Menopause in women also often contributes.
- Medical conditions - Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and fibromyalgia can cause fatigue and pain, lowering libido.
- Medications - Many common medications like antidepressants, blood pressure medications and opioid pain medications can negatively impact sex drive.
- Psychological issues - Stress, anxiety, depression and problems in a relationship can manifest as low libido.
- Unhealthy lifestyle - Lack of sleep, poor diet, excess alcohol consumption and lack of exercise can all dampen arousal and interest in sex.
Signs someone may have decreased libido include lack of interest in sex, inability to get aroused, decreased sexual thoughts and fantasies, less initiation of sex, and dissatisfaction with their sex life.
If you think you suffer from diminished sex drive, there are solutions that can help boost your libido:
- Medical evaluation - Getting hormone levels, blood counts and thyroid function checked can identify issues to address
- Medication changes - Switching drugs or adjusting dosages under a doctor's care may help
- Lifestyle improvements - Better sleep, diet, exercise and stress management helps increase energy and desire
- Relationship counseling - Improving intimacy and communication often lifts libido
- Hormone therapy - For low testosterone/estrogen, hormone replacement can increase sex drive
At Hormone Wellness Institute, our specialized physicians provide comprehensive hormone testing and personalized hormone therapy programs to get to the root cause of decreased libido. We help both men and women reignite their sex drive and passion for optimal health and wellness. Contact us today for a consultation!*
I hope this gives you a good overview explaining what decreased libido is, what causes it, and how it can be treated effectively. Let me know if you have any other questions!